Blue Jackets notebook Commodore out with thumb injury
Dateline: ST. PAUL, Minn.
Blue Jackets defenseman Mike Commodore wasn't a healthy scratch from Friday's home opener, after all.
Later in the day Friday, after Blue Jackets coach Scott Arniel had explained that Commodore was being scratched to get more speed in the lineup against the Chicago Blackhawks, the defenseman complained about soreness in his left hand. An X-ray revealed a "chip fracture" of the thumb.
"I did it early in the first San Jose game," the season opener, Commodore said. "It wasn't in the fight (with Sharks winger Ryane Clowe), but I'm pretty sure that didn't help. It was sore and it was swollen, but I didn't think it was broken. I probably should have said something, but I thought it was just a soft-tissue (injury). I just kept playing."
Commodore missed the game last night against the Minnesota Wild and said there's no timetable for his return. It depends, he said, on when the pain subsides so that he can crash and bang in front of the net and in the corners.
Stralman hurt
The Blue Jackets played without defenseman Anton Stralman last night, too.
Stralman was injured on his third shift of the third period against Chicago when he was checked awkwardly near the penalty box. He didn't play in the final 12 minutes of the game.
"It kind of looked like an innocent play, but he wasn't feeling too great right after it happened," Arniel said. "He's not as bad as we first thought. He felt better this morning. ... Hopefully, it'll be just a few days. If he gets some strength back, he can get back in there."
Stralman had been playing with Jan Hejda on the No. 1 defensive pair and directing the No. 1 power-play unit.
He was replaced on both fronts last night by Kris Russell.
Guenin recalled
To fill the void on the blue line, the Blue Jackets recalled former Ohio State player Nate Guenin on an emergency basis from minor-league Springfield.
Guenin, 27, was one of the final cuts in training camp. He played for Springfield on Friday in Providence, R.I., then caught an early-morning flight to join the Blue Jackets.
"I walked into the rink about 11:15 (15 minutes before the morning skate), said 'hey' to the guys and got dressed," Guenin said. "It's great to be back here. I know I can play at this level."
Slap shot
Only 10 players who were in uniform for the Blue Jackets and Wild during their inaugural season in 2000-01 are still in the NHL: Ray Whitney (Phoenix), Jody Shelley (Philadelphia), Mathieu Darche (Montreal) and Rostislav Klesla ( Blue Jackets) played for Columbus. Marian Gaborik (N.Y. Rangers), Filip Kuba (Ottawa), Sean O'Donnell (Philadelphia), Willie Mitchell (Los Angeles), Andy Sutton (Anaheim) and Pascal Dupuis (Pittsburgh) were members of the Wild.
aportzline@dispatch.com
